MARYSVILLE — Art Limon hadn’t even heard anything about an art show in his hometown of Marysville, but when he wandered into the front doors of the former Dunn Lumber building on Grove Street, he found himself treated not only to the works of 19 different local artists, but also to the sounds of area musicians, and some samples of craft wine and spirits.

Indeed, while Limon had missed out on 12-string guitarist David Lee Howard on the first day of the Marysville Arts Coalition’s third annual “It’s Raining Art” event on Friday, April 25, he was still able to catch the performances of Native American flautist Paul Nyenhuis and acoustic guitarist Michael Gotz on Saturday, April 26.

What really caught Limon’s eye, though — or rather, his ear — was the unique gourd art of Arlington’s Frankie Howard, who learned her craft at the Ken Baxter Community Center in Marysville.

“What is that?” Limon asked of the polished gourd with the long, thin spring dangling from its base.

By way of an answer, Howard strummed the spring, creating an unnatural-sounding echo inside the gourd.

Marysville Arts Coalition President Beckye Randall wanted “It’s Raining Art” to focus on quality art, and if nothing else, attendees like Limon found the works of artists like Howard to be compelling art.

“Speaking on behalf of my fellow Marysville Arts Coalition Board members, who were on hand to staff this event that Friday and Saturday, we were pleased with this year’s attendance, and we were thrilled with the quality of the artwork on display from our local artists,” Randall said. “By making this a juried show, we raised the bar for participants, and attracted a wonderful variety of artists working in a wide range of mediums.”

Randall and her fellow Marysville Arts Coalition Board members were also enthused to feature an exhibit of student artwork at the show, which was organized by fellow Board member Kurt Hollstein, who teaches fine arts at Marysville Getchell’s School for the Entrepreneur.

“Several student musicians provided live music that Saturday as well, facilitated by Jim Strickland, the Marysville-Pilchuck High School Life Skills teacher who also conducts the monthly Strawberry Acoustic Jam open-mic music nights, that the Marysville Arts Coalition helps to sponsor,” Randall said.

The Marysville Arts Coalition’s core volunteer group is made up of about 10 people, all of whom were very hands-on in planning and staffing the art show.

“A number of people, both artists and customers, asked about participating in the Marysville Arts Coalition, which is always good,” Randall said. “We don’t really have a structured membership. Our meetings are open to the public, and we welcome all who are interested in supporting and promoting the arts in Marysville.”

The Marysville Arts Coalition’s meetings start at 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month, either at the Ornamental Arts Gallery, in Suite 105 at 13805 Smokey Point Blvd. in Marysville, or at the Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts Center, at 1410 Grove St. in Marysville.

“All in all, the feedback from our guests and vendors was overwhelmingly positive, and we see lots of growth ahead for this annual event,” Randall said.

Although the Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts Center often hosts the Marysville Arts Coalition’s events, Randall emphasized that the two are separate organizations.

Log onto the Marysville Arts Coalition’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MarysvilleArts, or email Randall at brandallrcf@gmail.com, for more information.

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